But he is so determined to continue improving, he deliberately makes practice sessions awkward and difficult.

Stokes added: “I’m never happy where I’m at, never want to feel like I’m comfortable. I’m always trying to test myself and think of different ways to make sessions harder.

AP:Associated Press

Stokes and Jimmy Anderson gave South Africa's battling Dean Elgar some verbals

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Stokes actually 'found it quite difficult to get back to my best, rhythm-wise and pace-wise'

“For example, I’m working on ways to make catching practice more difficult.

“I’m always trying to put obstacles in front of me to make it harder and introduce different types of batting, bowling and fielding practice.

“If it is harder in practice, it can feel easier in the game. It’s been tough work over the last six or seven weeks, since the knee trouble I had at the start of the summer.
“
I found it quite difficult to get back to my best, rhythm-wise and pace-wise.